Clinical Outcomes of Endoscope-Assisted Pulmonary Endarterectomy for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension.

PURPOSE

Pulmonary thromboembolism is a potentially life-threatening condition in patients with heart disease; however, limited studies discussing long-term outcomes exist. This study aimed to investigate the long-term outcomes of pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), focusing on the improvement of functional class and right ventricular (RV) pressure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical data of patients with CTEPH were obtained from Yonsei Hospital between May 2012 and December 2021, and reviewed retrospectively. Twenty-six patients underwent endoscope-guided PEA during the study period, and the mean follow-up duration was 24.8±23.4 months.

RESULTS

After PEA, most patients (88.5%) were weaned from inotropes without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support during the first few days. Two patients (7.6%) had cerebrovascular accidents without neurological deficits. On echocardiography, the RV systolic pressure and tricuspid regurgitation grades significantly improved (<0.001). Furthermore, the mean left ventricle end-diastolic diameter was significant increased (=0.003), and the left ventricular end-systolic diameter increased (<0.001). The median intensive care unit stay was 3.0±9.4 days, and median hospital stay 16.0±26.5 days. The 5-year survival rate was 95.5%, and the 5-year freedom rate of cardiac death was 100%. There was a marked improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) status (<0.001). Cox regression suggested that the main pulmonary artery (MPA) involvement is a significant predictor of non-improvement in functional class post-PEA.

CONCLUSION

Mortality rates are low and patients experience a marked improvement in NYHA class and health status after PEA. Moreover, MPA involvement may affect functional outcomes.